adventurewomen THE DESTINATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING BHUTAN Buddhist Temples & Himalayan Vistas December 6 - 17, 2021 adventurewomen 10 mount auburn street, suite 2, watertown ma 02427 t: (617) 544-9393 t: (800) 804-8686 www.adventurewomen.com adventurewomen THE DESTINATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING BHUTAN Buddhist Temples & Himalayan Vistas TRIP HIGHLIGHTS ► Journey through diverse mountain and valley landscapes, from high passes to river-laced farmlands ► Explore ancient fortresses, monasteries, and temples ► Participate in a moving drum ceremony for peace with the nuns at the remote Pema Choeling Nunnery ► Camp under the stars for one night, near the historic valley town of Punakha ► Hike the pilgrimage trail to the viewpoint of exquisite Taktsang Lhakhang, “Tiger’s Nest” monastery. TRIP ROUTE adventurewomen 10 mount auburn street, suite 2, watertown ma 02427 t: (617) 544-9393 t: (800) 804-8686 www.adventurewomen.com adventurewomen THE DESTINATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING BHUTAN Buddhist Temples & Himalayan Vistas QUICK VIEW ITINERARY Day 1 meet in Bangkok, fly to Bhutan, welcome dinner Day 2 hike to a nunnery, visit Drukgyel Dzong Day 3 fly to Bumthang, visit Jambay Lhakhang and a Swiss farm Day 4 participate in a drum ceremony and have lunch with local nuns Day 5 drive to Trongsa, visit Ta-Dzong, explore the town Day 6 stop at a monastery, nature hike Day 7 visit the Punakha Dzong, spend the night at a tented camp Day 8 visit the 108 stupas, Druk Wangyel Tshechu festival (to be confirmed) Day 9 walk to a monastery, dinner with local dignitaries Day 10 Day 11 hike to the Tiger's Nest, farewell dinner Day 12 fly to Bangkok, connect with onward flights ACTIVITY LEVEL High Energy TRIP PRICE Main Trip: $6,490 Optional Single Accommodations: $1,100 Internal Air: $1,400 adventurewomen 10 mount auburn street, suite 2, watertown ma 02427 t: (617) 544-9393 t: (800) 804-8686 www.adventurewomen.com adventurewomen THE DESTINATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING BHUTAN Buddhist Temples & Himalayan Vistas ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ your adventure in depth DAY 1 meet in Bangkok, fly to Bhutan, welcome dinner Monday Bhutan, a jewel between India and China, is about the size of 12/6/21 Switzerland. Within its small boundaries the ecological diversity is amazing. Through centuries of self-imposed isolation, Bhutan has been able to preserve its spectacular environment and nurture its unique culture. Drawing inspiration from its neighbor, Tibet, Tantric Buddhism has flourished and influenced art, crafts, and architecture for hundreds of years, and has shaped the Bhutanese way of life. During your adventure, you’ll get to know your expert Bhutanese guide who offers insight into the country’s long history and spiritual focus. You are also accompanied by an AdventureWomen Ambassador, committed to helping make your experience a fun and personally rewarding adventure, and cheering you on as you reach beyond your comfort zone to take on new challenges in your own unique way! Arrival Arrive in Bangkok, Thailand (BKK) on December 5, Information 2021. Your flight to Bhutan (arranged by AdventureWomen) will be booked closer to departure). Flight to Paro Meet your group at the Bangkok Airport for your flight to Paro, Bhutan. Morning flight, time TBD. Pick-up and Your guide will meet you at the Paro Airport and Transfer transfer you to your hotel. Kyichu Explore the Kyichu monastery, one of the oldest and Monastery most sacred temples in Bhutan. The Royal Grand Mother conducts all her religious ceremonies at this temple. Learn its legends and mysteries from your guide. Check-in to You’ll have time to check in to your hotel and Your Hotel unwind this afternoon. Welcome Enjoy a lively welcome dinner as you get to know Dinner your fellow travelers this evening. Share stories and learn about why each woman on your trip is excited to explore Bhutan! Accommodations Le Meridian Paro Meals Included dinner 10 mount auburn street, suite 2, watertown ma 02427 t: (617) 544-9393 t: (800) 804-8686 www.adventurewomen.com adventurewomen THE DESTINATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING BHUTAN Buddhist Temples & Himalayan Vistas ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ your adventure in depth DAY 2 Paro Tuesday Paro,Haa Bhutan is the ancestral home of the Queen Grandmother and the 12/7/21 illustrious Dorji family. This valley remains one of the least visited areas in the country and retains the air of an unspoiled, primeval forest. The wooded hills of Haa provides an ideal location for hiking. Explore the Drive to Chele La Pass at 13,000 feet, stopping to Chele La Pass take in the spectacular views along the way. Enjoy panoramic views of the Paro and Haa valleys as well as the Himalayas and the Kachenjunga. Hike to Kila Hike to Kila Gonpa Nunnery, which was established Gonpa Nunnery as a meditation site in the 9th century and is said to be the oldest nunnery in Bhutan. Approximately 50 nuns pursue higher Buddhist college studies in a series of nunnery buildings that are pressed dramatically against the cliffs. Combine a visit here with a scenic one and a half hours of hiking to Chele La, passing delightful stretch of forest, chortens, and pray flags en route. Enjoy a picnic lunch during your hike. Your car will pick you up from the base of the nunnery to head back to Paro. (1.5 hours hiking) Drukgyel Dzong Visit the newly renovated Drukgyel Dzong. The Dzong was instrumental in Bhutan’s line of defense against the Tibetan invasion. Relax at Your Relax at your hotel late this afternoon. Hotel Accommodations Le Meridian Paro Meals Included breakfast, lunch, 10 mount auburn street, suite 2, watertown ma 02427 t: (617) 544-9393 t: (800) 804-8686 www.adventurewomen.com dinner adventurewomen THE DESTINATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING BHUTAN Buddhist Temples & Himalayan Vistas ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ your adventure in depth DAY 3 Paro to Bumthang Wednesday fly Theto Bumthang, name Bumthang visit has Jambay two probable Lhakhang origins; and the a first Swiss is that farm it is 12/8/21 named after a Bumpa, a vessel for holy water which the valley resembles in shape. The second origin implies that it is the Valley of Beautiful Girls. These fertile valleys are covered in fields of buckwheat, rice, and potatoes. Apple orchards and dairy farms are also common sights here. This serene region is one of the most peaceful places in the kingdom. Fly to Take a short flight from Paro to Bumthang this Bumthang morning. Jambey Visit Jambey Lhakhang in Bumthang. This temple, Lhakhang along with Kyichu Lhakhang in the Paro Valley, is one of the two oldest temples in Bhutan. It was built around 750 by King Songtsen Gampo of Tibet as part of his pledge to build 108 temples to the Buddha during his lifetime. One of the most holy of Bhutan’s religious sites, you will have special permission required to visit the sacred temple. Kurjey Continue to Kurjey, a 17th century temple next to Monastery which a spectacular monastery has been completed. It was built to resemble the heavenly abode of the Guru Rimpoche. The funeral rites of the senior members of the Royal Family are sometimes conducted here. Walk to a Swiss From Kurjey, begin your walk through the Farm countryside, crossing a bridge over the rushing Chamkhar Chu (river) and walk through paddy fields. End your hike at a farm founded in the 1980s by a Swiss cheesemaker. Your group has special permission to visit the farm and taste the Bhutanese version of Swiss cheese. You’ll also visit the brewery where Red Panda is produced. Afternoon Enjoy lunch at a restaurant along the way today. Activities You can spend a little bit of time in Bumthang exploring before heading back to your hotel. Accommodations Yu-Gharling Resort and Spa Meals Included breakfast, lunch, 10 mount auburn street, suite 2, watertown ma 02427 t: (617) 544-9393 t: (800) 804-8686 www.adventurewomen.com dinner adventurewomen THE DESTINATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING BHUTAN Buddhist Temples & Himalayan Vistas ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ your adventure in depth DAY 4 Bumthang Thursday participatePema Lingpa in a was drum a Tibetan ceremony saint and and siddha have of lunch the Nyingma with local school nuns of 12/9/21 Tibetan Buddhism. He is considered to be a discoverer of spiritual treasures. In the history of the Nyingma school in Bhutan, Pema Lingpa is second only in importance to Padmasambhava. Padmasambhava appeared before Pema Lingpa at the holy site of Yigé Drukma, blessed him, and placed in his hands an inventory of 108 major termas, or hidden teachings to be revealed. During his lifetime Pema Lingpa revealed only about half of the prophesied treasures. Explore the Drive to Tang Valley, one of the most remote valleys Tang Valley of Bumthang. As it is higher than Chokhor and the soil is not as fertile, there is not much agriculture here, although the valley turns bright pink with buckwheat flowers in fall. The people of this valley raise sheep and, at higher elevations, Yak. Drum Arrive at the Pema Choeling Nunnery, a large Ceremony with nunnery where about 100 anims (nuns) complete 12 Nuns years of study. This is one of the few places for women to be educated as nuns. Once in the Lhakhang, participate in an impressive spiritual drum ceremony with the nuns for the well-being of all sentient beings and world peace. Share stories and learn from a few of the nuns over lunch. Jakar Lhakhang On the way back to your hotel, visit Jakar Lhakhang, the temple manifested as the celestial abode of Guru Rinpoche. Accommodations Yu-Gharling Resort and Spa Meals Included breakfast, lunch, 10 mount auburn street, suite 2, watertown ma 02427 t: (617) 544-9393 t: (800) 804-8686 www.adventurewomen.com dinner adventurewomen THE DESTINATION IS JUST THE BEGINNING BHUTAN Buddhist Temples & Himalayan Vistas ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ your adventure in depth DAY 5 Bumthang to Trongsa Friday driveTrongsa to Trongsa, is situated visit on aTa-Dzong, steep ridge exploreand offers the spectacular town views of the 12/10/21 deep valleys surrounding it.